Police hunt middle-aged white man after a number of girls as young as 11 sexually assaulted in London

Girls as young as 11 have been sexually assaulted in a string of attacks in London, prompting an urgent appeal for information.

Police said nine victims – seven of them children - have been identified so far but more may not have come forward.

Investigators are examining the possibility that the daytime attacks could be linked after several victims provided similar descriptions of the attacker as a white man in his 40s or 50s.

“In all cases, the attacker has approached the victim and sexually touched them before running from the scene on foot,” a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said.

All the attacks have taken place in the Greenwich and Lewisham areas of south-east London, with the first seeing a 13-year-old girl assaulted on 30 June.

An 11-year-old girl was attacked on 29 August, followed by a 13-year-old girl on 27 September and then another 13-year-old and an 11-year-old girl both assaulted the following day.

Three victims were attacked on 5 October, a 13-year-old girl and 27-year-old woman targeted 10 minutes apart on the same road, then a 25-year-old woman assaulted nearby shortly afterwards.

The most recent recorded assault was on an 11-year-old girl in Honor Oak Road on Monday, where the suspect was caught on CCTV fleeing the scene.

All of the assaults have happened in daylight, between around 8am and 4.30pm

Superintendent Lee Hill said: “These incidents were very frightening for the victims.

“I am appealing to the public to help identify and locate this man as quickly as possible.

“Although none of the victims have suffered physical injury, the effects of becoming a victim of sexual assault can be lasting and traumatic.”

Supt Hill said police are looking into the possibility of a “linked series of attacks” after several victims gave similar descriptions of the culprit as a white man aged between 40 and 50, with short white or blonde hair.

“I am concerned that there may be more victims who have not yet come forward and are not receiving the support that they may need,” he added. “I would urge any victims who have not yet come forward to contact police.

“While efforts to trace the person or people behind these attacks progresses, police patrols in the area have been increased and officers are working with local schools to advise and reassure pupils and parents.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Greenwich CID by on 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.